34 BULLETIN 647, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. . 
the various predators to the same extent as are the others mentioned 
above, or there may be some relation between it and its favorite food 
plant which makes this insect distasteful to these predators. 1 
INFLUENCE OF THE ANT ON ABUNDANCE OF THE FLUTED SCALE IN LOUISIANA. 
The fluted or cottony cushion scale (I eery a purehasi Mask.) ranks 
second only to the mealybugs as to preference by the Argentine ant, 
owing, as with the mealybugs, to the large amount of viscid excre- 
tion given off by the insect. In spite of heavy attendance by the ant, 
however, the fluted scale has not been able to thrive and become 
abundant in Louisiana, except during the last season in New Orleans. 
This scale is believed by some, as previously stated, to have occurred 
on Metairie Ridge and in various places in Xew Orleans prior to 
the destructive freeze of 1895. Whether this is true or whether the 
insect has been imported into Louisiana only in very recent years is 
not certain. At all events the insect did not come to attention in the 
State until the fall of 1912. when it was found by the State in- 
spector. 2 During the years 1913 to 1915, inclusive, closer attention 
was paid to the insect, and it was found at various places in New 
Orleans. Still it did not occur in the orange groves, and the infesta- 
tions in and about the city were very scattering. Whenever they 
occurred in some numbers on a plant, they were viewed with such 
apprehension that extermination was attempted. It was. therefore, 
impossible to get a sufficient infestation under suitable conditions for 
experiments to determine the influence of the ant on their increase. 
During the summer of 1916. judging from reports received from Xew 
Orleans, the fluted scale spread more rapidly and became more 
numerous about the city than at any previous time, but the exact part 
played in this increase by the ant is not known. 
INFLUENCE OF THE ANT ON THE FLUTED SCALE IN CALIFORNIA. 
The status of the fluted scale in California in recent years is given 
by Quayle, 3 who states that the infestations become as bad at times 
in some localities as when at their height in earlier years. As a rule, 
however, the insect does not become numerous enough to be con- 
sidered of economic importance. 
Xo citrus orchards or trees could be found sufficiently infested 
with the fluted scale in southern California to serve for any adequate 
tests as to the influence of the Argentine ant. The scale occurred 
1 A condition such as this apparently occurs in the case of the fluted scale on Spanish 
broom in Ventura County, Cal. 
- Tucker. E. S. Suppression of the Cottony Cushion Scale in Louisiana. La. Agr. Exp. 
Sta. Bui. 145. 1914 
3 Quayle, H. J. Citrus Fiuit Insects. Cal. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 214, p. 470. 1911. 
